Another chapter I am not too fond of, but it's definitely something!

REVIEW REPLIES:

-NiekaWow
I think he does have a girlfriend...Or just a really close friend that happens to be a girl. ^^ I came across the story on BuzzTube and apparently, he took his assistant to a masquerade ball and all I can think of was how cute it probably was. I'm with you on that one; I really want him to get married. :D
Just a few more days! You can do this!
I didn't even know they had camels in Australia! That is really cool! And holy cow, you wouldn't believe how much hotspots saved my life on this trip I recently took. Are you taking a little hotspot device or just relying on the outside world? :D
Thanks for the luck-wishing! I actually passed my final exam today! So all I have to do is drive for awhile and I can get licensed!
Leaving people on cliffhangers is so much fun though! ^^ And I totally agree with you on Zoey! Definitely one of my favorite characters to write for! Her and Strader because he's an original and I make him do anything. ^^ And I'm glad you liked the Mal and Katie scene! It was fairly difficult to write, but it was worth it! :D
Anyways! Thanks for reading and reviewing!

-The Beautiful Filth
At least they aren't in the middle of fighting a zombie horde. ^^' But yeah, bad timing is my specialty. Thank you so much for the compliment and for reading this story! I appreciate it so much! :D

-mozzi-girl (The Beast)
I am glad you felt that way during this chapter! It was very difficult to write, and I'm glad it was successful! :D And I'm just going to agree with you because I am not in the mood to go back that far. (You know how it is reading your old stories.) So it's official now; Blaise was saved after the apocalypse!
And I'm glad I lived to tell the tale. ^^ Thanks for reading and reviewing, and just being beastly! :D I appreciate it!

To make it short, I just want to thank you all again for reading this story and you're all welcome to send me some suggestions on what you want to see in future chapters, or what can make the story better in general. ^^ This story has become one of my top priorities and I want to make it the best I can.

I hope you all have a great week! Stay safe and please enjoy!

Chapter Nine: Baby Steps

Despite our best efforts, Allison and George refused to have anyone enter the clinic; even Ellis had to sit outside, running his fingers through his hair and pacing back and forth by the door. He was mixed in a pool of emotions. One moment, he was cursing his bad luck and the other; he was telling us how excited he was to hold his kid.

I knew it would be awhile before any progress was made, so I asked Ellis to join me on a walk. Natara agreed to stay behind and warn him if anything happened with Zoey while we were out. At first, he tried to back out, consistently reminding us that Zoey was indeed pregnant with his kid and that he needed to be there every step of the way. I then reminded him that I was a father too and to trust me that taking a walk during the long hours of labor is a lot better than sitting in a stuffy room, waiting to see your kid.

I led Ellis outside the warehouse boundaries, just walking along the edge of the large, wire-fence that sheltered the Colonists and Carriers. I let him talk to release his feelings and built-up energy.

"It was so sudden," he said with a nervous smile. "She came in after talking to you, and she sat down on the bed and started talking, like any other day."

I nodded and he continued.

"Then she complained of contraction like pains. The doctor told me that she would be experiencing such a thing before labor actually occurred and told me not to worry too much. And then she told me her water broke and…"

"You panicked?" I guessed and he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's hard to remain calm when your wife is having a baby…"

I smiled. "It's scary," I agreed.

Ellis's smile slowly faded. "She'll be alright, won't she? I don't want to go on without her if she doesn't make it…" He stopped and looked towards the warehouse. His light eyes were filled with concern and worry, his hands hidden within his pockets. "She's my everything, ya know? When I first saw her…Gosh." Ellis's cheerful smile returned, recalling those precious memories he held so dearly to his heart. "You could tell she was upset about something, but she didn't let her emotions get the better of her. She was covered in blood, bandaged almost everywhere. She looked like she hadn't showered in weeks, or slept for that matter. But she was still the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen. I was at a loss for words."

He continued, describing the memory for me in great detail. Louis had been injured in a horde attack and Francis, Zoey, and their late friend Bill led him to safety, hoping to start up a generator to open a bridge to lead them to a permanent safe-house. Something had gone wrong, and Bill went to scope it out, hoping to start up a second generator, but was killed in the process by three Tanks; mutant zombies with the size and strength of a large, male gorilla. When Ellis and his team arrived, Zoey, Louis and Francis talked to them from their refuge high above the chaos.

"I love her," he finished.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave him a small smile. "She'll be alright, El."

He nodded. "Thanks Malachi…"

"No problem," I responded. "I understand how you feel." I watched him for a moment. His gaze was still fixated upon the warehouse and he was fidgeting with something in his pocket. "Why don't we head back?" I suggested and he nodded without looking at me.

"That would be nice," he replied and began to head back, walking at a much faster pace than me.

-C.O.D-

Natara greeted us at the warehouse entrance, smiling brightly. "Hey guys!"

"Is she okay?" Ellis asked immediately.

"Zoey is just fine," Natara replied. "Still no baby, but Allison and George agreed to let you visit her; at least until the baby comes."

Ellis didn't exchange another word. He darted past her and straight into the clinic, ignoring the other greetings he received from the Colonists and fellow Carriers. Natara laughed lightly and waved me inside. I followed her and she began to question me.

"How was the walk?"

"Pretty good."

"How's Ellis holding up?"

"He's about to be a dad…What do you think?"

Natara smiled, her gaze directed towards the ground. Her hair fell into her face. It was messy from days of unrest and lack of cleanliness, but she didn't seem to mind as much as the other women. She stopped walking and folded her arms across her chest and looked up at me. "What about you, Mal? How are you holding up?"

I stopped as well and sighed heavily. "I just don't get it."

"What?"

"This whole zombie apocalypse ordeal. By now, we would have at least faced a couple of hordes."

"The less, the better," Natara responded. "But I have a feeling that's not what you mean."

"If someone did steal the virus…Why have they only killed the president and a group of civilians?"

"Usually when someone eliminates someone of high status," Natara began, "they're seeking power and control, which could also mean they're trying to get revenge on someone who has done them wrong."

"But what about the infected civilians? Where do they fit into this?"

Natara shrugged. "Maybe something happened and whoever stole the virus unintentionally released it."

I sighed. "It's a good thing we got Katie and the others out while we could."

Natara nodded slowly. "C'mon. Mike needed help finding some parts for an alternate generator. I promised we would help when you got back."

I threw my head back and groaned loudly. "Nat!"

"It's the least we can do," she replied and gripped my hand and dragged me further into the warehouse.

-C.O.D-

We were rescued by Ellis just a few hours later.

"Malachi…Nat," he began, smiling brighter than I had ever seen. "Come here."

We already caught onto what he was trying to tell us. Rushing away from a flustered Mike, we were led by Ellis into the clinic.

Zoey was lying upon a makeshift bed. The room smelled heavily of alcoholic cleansing wipes and the faint tinge of blood hung in the air. Zoey held a bundle of jackets and from inside, a baby was cooing lightly. Zoey was grinning, running her finger along, what I assumed to be, the baby's cheek.

Ellis placed his hands on both Natara and my back and led us closer. "You two are the first to see him; aside from Miss Allison and George, of course," he informed us in a hushed whisper.

When he came into view, Natara covered her mouth to silent her squeals. "Oh my…He is so cute," she exclaimed quietly, kneeling next to Zoey to get a better look at him. I stood above, looking down upon the baby.

I was never good with deciding who the baby looked like, but he definitely had Zoey's coffee-colored hair. His face scrunched up when he yawned and he looked up at me. Instantly, my mind fell upon the day Katie was born.

"What's his name?" I asked, kneeling beside Natara, placing my hands on her shoulders.

Zoey and Ellis shared a look and smile before Zoey announced, "William."

"Bill for short," Ellis added.

"Bill," I repeated and chuckled. "It has a nice ring to it."

"May I?" Natara asked, extending her arms and Zoey nodded before placing Bill into her arms.

"It's been awhile since I've held a baby," Natara whispered. "Hey Bill."

"Hey little guy," I greeted, leaning in a bit closer.

Bill glanced up at me, before yawning and cuddling closer into his jacket blanket. Natara giggled lightly. "He is adorable, Zoey!"

"Yeah," I agreed, "Good work, you two."

Ellis chuckled. "He's a handsome little fella," he said. "I am proud to be his father."

I opened my mouth to reply to his comment, but the door was thrown open by the one, the only, Kai Kalaba. However, instead of looking like he wanted to disturb the peace with an 'interesting' factoid, he looked disheveled and worried.

"Hey…Can I talk to Mal and Natara?" he asked, eyeing us.

"Sure," I said and stood up. Ellis took Bill from Natara and she followed my lead. Kai nodded towards the new parents and guided us outside and away from the clinic.

"It better be important, Kalaba," I muttered and he nodded.

"It is," he assured. "Are you two well-informed on transmitting diseases?"

"Is this going to be awkward," I growled, "because…"

"No! Well…Not for you two at least. But for Zoey and Ellis…"

"Why," Natara asked, her attention caught suddenly. "What's wrong with them?"

"Well," Kai began, "it occurred to me when Zoey went into labor that both she and Ellis are Carriers of the zombie virus."

"And…." I said.

"And Carrier's have a fifty-percent chance of transmitting the disease they carry onto their offspring."

Natara's eyes widened. "Are you saying…?"

"That Bill could possibly be infected?" Kai asked. "Yes…Yes I am."

"But he looks so healthy," I argued and Kai shook his head.

"Everyone does before they turn."

Natara tugged on my arm. "We got to warn them," she said.

"No," Kai commanded harshly. He breathed in heavily and lowered his voice. "They're happy right now. Just let them enjoy every moment they have with Bill." He looked towards the clinic with a sad expression. "I have the best lab in California working on strengthening the cure as we speak. I don't want Zoey or Ellis worrying at all. For all we know, he could be part of that lucky fifty-percent that avoids getting the disease."

Natara shook her head sadly. "I really, really hope so, Kai."